About Asbestos

Asbestos is a fibrous mineral which has been widely used since ancient times. Its resistance to heat, electricity, chemical damage and tensile strength made it a highly popular material. Asbestos has been used in the manufacture of a wide range of items including yarn, cloth, cement, pipe and boiler insulating material, corrugated roofing, wall and floor tiles and wall insulation. It was widely used as an insulation material in the construction, railway and shipbuilding industries.

There are various different types of asbestos, including blue, brown and white asbestos. Of these, blue and brown are the most harmful types. Inhaling asbestos fibres can lead to the development of these serious medical conditions, even 20 to 50 or more years after the exposure:

Mesothelioma

Lung cancer

Asbestosis

Pleural thickening

Pleural plaques

Of these, mesothelioma, a form of cancer, is the most serious.
Those most at risk of developing asbestos diseases include:

thermal insulation engineers

shipyard workers

building workers

railway carriage workers

plumbers

gas fitters

carpenters

electricians

painters and decorators

People who have come into contact with asbestos indirectly in the following ways may also be at risk:

By working in places where other workers were handling asbestos

By washing clothing contaminated by asbestos

By living or playing near asbestos factories when they were children

Mesothelioma affects the lining of the lung, lining of the abdominal cavity or lining around the heart. The most common symptoms of mesothelioma are breathlessness, chest pain and persistent cough.

Although there is no cure for mesothelioma at present, there are treatments available that can help to control the symptoms and improve quality of life. The kind of treatment offered will depend on the location of the cancer, the stage of the disease, and the patient's age and general health. Standard treatments often include radiotherapy, chemotherapy, surgery or a combination of these.

Whatever stage you are at ELMS can offer advice and support. Many of our volunteers have either been there themselves, or supported their relatives or friends when they were being diagnosed or treated. For further information on treatments or medical processes then contact ELMS for an informal chat.